Online MA in 3D Animation Open For Applications

Our MA in 3D Animation for Professionals is now accepting applications though UCAS.

The online MA in animation at BNU was launched in 2015 and was the very first of its kind - the first online MA in animation which could be undertaken by students anywhere in the world.  

Our MA 3D Animation for Professionals continues to partner with the online animation school www.animationapprentice.org, ensuring that all our MA Students graduate with industry-level skills. 

MA 3D Animation for Professionals Starts 25 Sept

"Journey of Life" by Robin Herrmann

Our pioneering online MA in Animation has now been fully re-validated, and re-launches this month as the MA 3D Animation for Professionals.

Our online MA in animation was launched in 2015 and was the very first of its kind - the first online MA in animation which could be undertaken by students anywhere in the world.  

Our MA 3D Animation for Professionals continues to partner with the online animation school www.animationapprentice.org, ensuring that all our MA Students graduate with industry-level skills. 

Original Online MA in Animation: Back in Sept

Animation by BNU Graduate Lee Caller 

We are still taking applications for our online MA in Animation - the Original Online MA in Animation - now recruiting for September 2023.

Our online MA in animation was launched in 2015 and was the very first of its kind - the first online MA in animation which could be undertaken by students anywhere in the world.  

Our MA in animation partners with the online animation school www.animationapprentice.org.

MA animation Joining Instructions Sept 2022

It will soon be time for our new MA Animation students at Bucks to get started, with formal teaching beginning on 26 September 2022.  

Below are some Joining Instructions for our students starting with us on the Online MA in 3D Animation.

Online Animation MA Returns in Sept 2022

Sci-Fi scene by Joe Gamble

We are now taking applications for our online MA in Animation - recruiting for September 2022.

Our online MA in animation was launched in 2015 and was the very first of its kind - the first online MA in animation which could be undertaken by students anywhere in the world.  The MA in animation partners with the online animation school www.animationapprentice.org

Graduation Day at BNU: 5-9 September 2022

Graduation Day at BNU

Graduation Day is back! After a long Corona hiatus, in-person graduation is returning to High Wycombe, at long last.  Graduation Day for our animation graduates takes place at Bucks from 5-9th September 2022.

On that day, we will be welcoming all our animation graduates to come and celebrate their achievement.

Who's Who in Animation at BNU

Alex and Rusty at BNU

Who's Who on our Online Master of Arts in Animation?

For our new animation students, there is a good deal of information to take on board, including who does what at Bucks.

There are a number of people involved in delivering our MA - the first ever online MA in animation.

Below is a brief guide to help our new cohort of students figure out who's who, who does what, and how to get in touch with the key people whose job it is to help our students get excellent results.

How We Tackle External Projects at BNU

At BNU we often get asked if our animation students can take on external projects. Our students are very busy with their own work, but on occasion we can tackle "live briefs" for outside clients.

There are however a few things we need in advance, most important of which is a brief (ideally a single page PDF), explaining what the client wants and expects.  Below is a list of things for clients to think about to make sure that the project is a success. 

MA Animation Joining Instructions Sept 2021

Joining Instructions 2021

It will soon be time for our new students at Bucks to get started on their animation journey.  

Below are some Joining Instructions for our students starting with us on the Online MA in 3D Animation.

Academic Deadlines MA Animation 2021-23

2021-2023 deadlines

Below is a list of deadlines for the online MA in 3D animation. This is for our new cohort of student animators, those who are joining us in September 2021, and will graduate "Master of Arts" in the summer of 2023.

Note that this list of deadlines is a draft list only, and is subject to change. Students should always check the appropriate Module Guide and Assignment Brief to be certain of the correct submission date. And, of course, check with your tutor.

This list gives our MA students a broad idea of what to expect over the coming 18 months.  But always double-check these dates - if in doubt, email your tutor.

BNU "No Detriment" Policy

Last year Bucks New Uni introduced a "no detriment" policy in response to the Corona Virus Pandemic. The policy remains in force, and - in effect - gives students an extra 10 working days (two calendar weeks) to hand in assessments, beyond the formal deadline.

"No detriment" means that the work submitted will not suffer any detriment, ie it will still be graded as if it were handed in on time.

Apply Now for our Online MA in Animation

Animation by Victoria Bailey

We are now taking applications for our online MA in animation, recruiting for September 2021.

Our online MA in animation was launched in 2015 and was the first of its kind - a unique degree which can be undertaken by students anywhere in the world, leading to a formal qualification in the field.

Students learn how to animate to a professional industry standard using Autodesk Maya, the industry-standard software, and also learn to engage with the underpinning theory and structure behind the art form. To apply, follow this link.

2020-21 BNU Master's Animation Reel

We're proud to present the 2020 Buckinghamshire New University Animation Masters' Reel. All the work shown above was completed by our Masters' degree students, who study online at Animation Apprentice, which delivers the practical content for the master's degree at Bucks. Many congratulations to BNU students and graduates Michael Davies, Kente Sunde, Adam Sale, Kristis Bandzevicius, Lisa Springett, and Lee Caller on their excellent work.

How Feedback Works at Bucks New Uni

How do students get feedback at Bucks New University? Animation students on our online MA in 3D Animation receive a weekly bespoke feedback tutorial on their work, showing how to fix mistakes and how to improve.  In addition, we have an online classroom where students post their work, receive positive feedback, and give creative criticism to others.  Being able to take criticism ("notes" in the industry) is part of the process of creating great animation. When you first show your work to a client, they will have comments, and they won't always love your first efforts. Whether you're working at a studio, or doing private client work, or just working on your own personal work, animators need to learn to incorporate criticism in order to make your work the best it can be.

Welcome to Bucks!

It's time for our new students at Bucks to start learning the art and craft of animation. Below are some Joining Instructions for our students starting with us on the Online MA in 3D Animation.  There is a fair bit to do to get started, but once you're underway you should find the course a well-oiled machine. If you have problems, email me at alex@animationapprentice.org and I'll get back to you right away.

Why Time Zones Don't Matter for Our Online MA

One question we often get asked at Bucks is this: "I'm in a different time zone to the UK, can I still do the Online MA in 3D Animation?" The answer is yes.  For the past five years we have taught students all over the world - on every continent except Antarctica. The MA course relies mainly on pre-recorded videos and learning materials, and therefore avoids the need for hard-to-schedule live delivery.  Wherever you live in the world, you can take our MA - as long as you have a decent laptop and a good broadband connection.

Last Call to Apply: Online MA in Animation

Transformer animation by BNU Masters' student Amedeo Beretta

Last call for applications for our online MA in animation; we still have a couple of spots open for September 2020.

This online MA is a unique degree which can be undertaken by students anywhere in the world, leading to a formal qualification in the field.

Students learn how to animate to a professional industry standard using Autodesk Maya, the industry-standard software, and also learn to engage with the underpinning theory and structure behind the art form.

Do You Need a BA to Apply for an MA?

One question I get asked a lot at Bucks is this: "Do I need a BA in order to apply for the MA in animation?". The answer is yes, but also no. Ideally, candidates for our Online MA in 3D Animation will already have a BA in an arts-related subject. However, those without a BA can still go through what is called the APEL process.  APEL stands for "Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning", and is the formal recognition of prior learning by UK universities. APEL is the means by which students who do not have an undergraduate degree can gain entry onto a masters' level course, such as our master's programme in 3D animation.

Joining Instructions - Online MA in 3D Animation

It's time for our new students at Bucks to get started on their animation journey. Below are some Joining Instructions for our students starting with us on the Online MA in 3D Animation.

There is a fair bit to do to get started, but once you're underway you should find the course a fairly well-oiled machine.  If in doubt, send me an email at alex@animationapprentice.org and I'll get back to you right away.  To find out more about how the course works, see this blog post. And also read this welcome page.

Welcome to Our New MA Animation Students!

Welcome!

A very warm welcome all our new post-graduate students who will soon starting their journey with us on our online MA in animation, launched in 2015 in partnership with the online animation school Animation Apprentice.

Teaching on the online MA in 3D Animation starts on Monday 28 September 2020 and lasts for 18 months, with the final assignment being due in May 2022, and degrees awarded in the summer of 2022.

This is a unique degree - the first of its kind - which can be undertaken by students anywhere in the world, leading to a formal qualification in the field.